The Dragon Lord's Daughters by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online Page A

then?” Mary wondered.
    â€œThey are Welsh, and half savage,” Rhys told his little sister. “Who knows why they do what they do.”
    â€œWhy, then, would you steal a girl like that?” Mary said, curious.
    â€œBecause her family, while rich in cattle and other livestock, is not an important family. They may be angered by my actions, but they will not complain too loudly, and the girl will be decently matched. As for her brother, he is too young to fight me, I am told. He is not much older than you are, dearling. Now give me a kiss and let me go, for Roger and a troop of his father’s men are waiting for me.”
    â€œDo the Welsh really eat children?” Mary asked him nervously.
    â€œNay.” Rhys laughed. “Who told you that?”
    â€œRhawn says they do,” Mary replied.
    â€œRhawn is an ignorant old crone,” Rhys said. “If she tells you many more stories like that I shall have to beat her. You may tell her that I said so.” He bent down and kissed his little sister’s lips quickly. “Prepare the guest chamber for the bride while I am gone, Mary.”
    â€œI will, Rhys. God go with you and bring you home safe to Everleigh,” Mary said. She kissed her brother’s cheek and gave him a sweet smile.
    The big dappled gray stallion he rode was waiting eagerly for him in the courtyard of the keep. Rhys mounted it, and then looked to Roger Mortimer. “Do you know where we are going?” he asked his friend. “I surely don’t.”
    â€œI know the way.” Roger chuckled.
    The first thing Rhys noticed as they rode away was that the horses hooves had been wrapped lightly to prevent the sound of their passing. None of the animals was a light color, and the men were garbed in sober hues that would not draw attention. While the countryside was scantily populated, a large party would always draw attention, but these men rode seemingly without weapons, nor could the thick leather vests they wore beneath their tunics and capes be seen. A sharp eye would have understood it was a raiding party, shutting their door quickly and praying it passed them by.
    The first night they camped at twilight, for the days were growing longer with the onset of spring. They carried barley cakes, strips of dried beef, and flasks with water. They lit a small fire to deter the wild beasts, the men taking turns at the watch through the night. In the morning they rode out again. Merin Pendragon’s keep was but a half day’s journey farther. As the sun reached the midpoint in the heavens they stood looking at Dragon’s Lair, which was set upon a low hill across the flower strewn field that lay at the foot of the hill upon which their horses were now standing. The field was dotted with fat cattle.
    â€œOh, she’ll be very well dowered,” Roger said softly. “There’s a lushness and richness about this place unlike any other I’ve seen in the Welshry. Look about you, Rhys. The rest of it is mountainous and rough upland such as we have traveled through. How did this Pendragon gain such a fine land? Mayhap the fairy who was his ancestor gave it to him.”
    â€œI thought he was descended from King Arthur,” Rhys replied.
    â€œHe is, but his ancestor’s mother was part fairy, they say, and Merlin the sorcerer brought her to this place, and together they raised up this keep we see by means of magic. Then Merlin put a spell upon these lands that they would always be fertile, and that the Pendragons would thrive. That is how the story goes, I have been told.”
    â€œWhile I am willing to believe that Pendragon’s family descends from King Arthur, I am loath to think there are any fairies in the family tree.” Rhys laughed. “ ’Tis a child’s fable. There are no such things as fairies.”
    Roger chuckled. “Perhaps you are right,” he replied, “but look there, in that stand of willows by